A study of atrial fibrillation with reference to clinical presentations and aetiologies

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation occurs in the normal heart and in the presence of organic heart disease of any cause. Various aetiologies are associated with AF. Aim: Present study is conducted to know clinical presentations of atrial fibrillation, aetiologies and relation between atrial fibrillation and left atrial size. Methodology: Study done for a period of one year on 50 cases of diagnosed AF are included in study. Results: Majority of cases (68.0%) of AF were between ages 26 – 55 yrs and were predominantly females (70.5%). Dyspnea (84%) and palpitations (76%) were most common clinical presentations. Majority (62.0%) of cases of atrial fibrillation were due to chronic rheumatic heart disease. Valvular lesion in CRHD that was most commonly associated with atrial fibrillation was combined lesion of mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation and tricuspid stenosis (41.9%). 55% of mitral stenosis patients with AF had mitral valve area(MVA) of <1 sq.cm i.e., severe M S .Majority of atrial fibrillation cases (54%) had left atrial size of 4 to5 cms. Conclusion: Atrill fibrillation is predominantly seen in females of age group 26-55yrs while most common clinical presentation is dyspnea. Chronic rheumatic heart disease is underlying cause seen in most of the cases. AF associated Left atrial size enlargement is between 4 to 5 cms in majority of cases.